Machine gun



R. F. HUDSON March 4, 1930.

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MACHINE GUN Original Filed Feb. 28, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IQQN . www NRobe/ b March 4, 1930. R. F. HUDSON 1,749,137

MACHINE GUN Original Filed Feb. 28, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I {K061111711R0061" 6E fludfion,

n mm Q NM Em w ww .qw sm lg luis alli rg Patented Mar. 4, 1930 ROBERT F.HUDSON,

'IO AUTOMATIC GUNS, INQ, BATION OF DELAWARE Application filed February28,

This invention relates to improvements in machine guns, one object ofthe invention being the provision of a gun of this character which maybe operated as a smgle'shot mechanically operated gun, or which can beautomatically operated for intermittent or conspring actuated means areemployed to opof the automatic means retracted,

insert a cartrldge, extract and expel erate the breech block to set andrelease the sear, the shell.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of adjustablemeans at will to regulate at will the speed at which the will operatecontinuously automatic, t us providing in a gun of this type a widerange of speed from a comparatively slow to an exceedingly rapid firinggun.

A still further and very important object of this invention is'theprovision of a machine gun the particular construction of which permitsof its type being made in various sizes such as 30 and calibre, 20 and37 millimetres, without changing the general construction, except thatthe parts are made heavier, but yet not so heavy as the usual guns ofthese sizes, particularly of the latter two above mentioned.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of thecomplete machine gun, with the lower portion of the tripod not shown.

Figures 2 and 2 read together illustrates a longitudinal section throughthe gun, w1t a cartridge in the breech of the barrel just previous tothe release of the sear.

Figures 3 and 3- read together illustrates a similar section to Figures2 and 2 with the breech block in retracted position, the spring and justprevious to the insertion and firing of the next cartridge.

Figure Figure 1.

Figure ure 1.

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of or RICHMOND, VIRGINIA,

or WASHINGTON,

5 is a section on line 5- 5 of Fig- ASSIGNOBL, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A CORPO- nmonmn GUN 1923, Serial No. 621,824.Renewed February 28, 1927.

Figure 7 is a section on line 77 of Fig-" ure 1.

Figure 8 ure 1.

Figure 9 is a section of line 9-9 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is'a section on Figural.

Figure 11 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the breech blockshowing the complete firing pinor scar, and the cartridge grips andactuator.

Figure 12 is a similar view taken at right angles to that of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a detail perspective view of the spiral cam and ratchet orclutch actuator for the main rotary cam.

Figures 14 and 15 are detail views of the dial and speed adjustingdevice.

Figure 16 is a detail perspective view of the disk member of the lockingdevice.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the firing pin lock.

Figures 18 and 19 are detail views of the cartridge magazine. 1

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 20 designates the barrel, whichis provided with the chamber 21 and the threaded portion 22 by means ofwhich it is attached to the recelver 23, which is open top and bottom,and sealed at the rear by the plate P. Mounted for reciprocation in astraight line movement with the receiver is the breech block 24, whichas shown in Figures 11 and 12, is bored to provide the chambers 25, 26and 27 of varydiameters and to receive the abutment member 28 heldremovably in place by means of the pivoted catch 40. The rod 29 slideswithin this block and carries the abutment 30 for the spring 31, whichtends to propel thefiring pin 32 toproject its cap engaging end. Thebody portion of the firing pin is groove-d as at 33, so that should thecap burst and gas pressure be released in the direction of the breechblock the gas will escape through is a section of line 8-8 of Figline10-10 oi these grooves and the port 35. This is a very Upon the outerend of the provided during the retraction of the breech block to engagethe wall 39 of the receiver and engage the inner edge of the head 36 andhold the pin against forward movement and with the fulminating capengaging end 34 retracted within the block, so that there is no chanceof the same accidentally engaging the cap to prematurely explode thesame. It also permits the employment of a single member or sear 29,instead of a two sectioned one, the forward section of which is set backby a light spring in the usual way. The cartridge holder and extractorconsists of the two strips 42, each one of which is mounted in a grooveupon diametrically opposite sides of the breech block and pivoted at 41,so that the rim engaging terminals 43 will be permitted the necessarymovement to and from each other to engage and release the cartridge orits shell, the spring 44 acting to release the same, while the roller46, mounted in the inclined recesses 45 and cooperating with theadjacent portions 47 of the receiver during the movement of the blockoperate to press the strips 42 toward-each other and hold the same insuch position when inserting and holding a cartridge in the breech ofthe barrel, with drawing the same and until the releasing point, atwhich time the rollers permit the sprin s 44 to act and release theshell, which falls y gravity. As the block is started for-' ward, thenext cartridge is permitted to drop between the rim engaging lugs 43,which are then moved into gripping position.

In order that the breech block may be positively reciprocated, theantifrictional stud 4 8 fits within the spiral or cam groove 49 of theactuating cylinder 50, which in turn is provided with the sear or firingpin setting cam 51 the rear edge of the latter engaging the head 36 justas the breech block has delivered the cartridge C within the breech ofthe barrel, and retracting the firing pin against its propelling springand then releasing the same to explode the cap, the stud 48 then beingin the extremest forward portion of its cam groove, which is so shapedas to permit movement enough to the cylinder to accomplish this result.

The shaft 52 is fast to the cylinder and rotates therewith, and itssocket 53 receives the short shaft 54 which is caused to rotate with theshaft 52 through the coupling 55 and 56. A locking disk 57 is carried bythe shaft 52 and is provided'with the lock receiving recess 58, the samewhen aligned with the opening 59 being adapted to receive the lock 76,as will presently appear. This opening 59 is formed in the lug 60.

At the rear face ofthe operating cylinder 50 is'a shaft 61, journaled inthe cap or plate P, and has keyed or pinned thereto the ratchet 61,which through the pawl 63, permits the operatin manual handle or crank62 to be connecte to manually rotate the cylinder 50.

Projecting from the plate P is the guard 64, for the spring projectedtrigger 65, which the same from rotating or being rotated.

Mounted under the barrel is a cylinder 67 for the reception of the gaspropelled plunger or piston 68, the same eing connected to the pistonrod 69, so that the gas of explosion will enter through the port 70 intothe cylinder 67 to the rear of the piston, propel the pisto lzi1 forwardand exhaust through the port g The rod 69 slides through the removablehead 72 and is connected to the block 73, whose apert ured lug74surrounds the actuating cylinder 85 so that its actuating lug 83slides in the spiral groove 84, the purpose of which will presentlyappear. The looking pin 76 is mounted for slight cushioned slidingmovement and is carried by the block 73, the spring providing thecushion so that when the lock is projected with force rearwardly throughthe opening 59 and against the adjacent face of the disk 57, the lockwill'be cushioned until the recess 58 is positioned to receive-the lock,and should the last cartridge have been exploded, this abuts the lug 66of the cylinder 50 to prevent a i lock will then hold the shaft 52 andconse- The projecting end 77 of the rod 69, fits within the rear end ofthe spring compression 78, mounted in the tubular casing 79, which isproperly supported at its forward end through the short tube 80 and thestrap 81 carried by the barrel, the apertured cap sealing the outer endand abutting the outer end of the spring, so that when the piston 68 ispropelled forwardly as shown in Figure 3, the spring 78 will becompressed and the block 73 will be moved from the rear position (Fig.3) of Figure 2 to the present position. When this action took place thelug 83 moving in its groove 84 caused the cylinder 85 to rotate so thatthe clutch composed of the shouldered and cam faces 92 and 93 rode overeach other without moving the shaft 54, which is connected to the head91, but the instant that the gas was released through the port 71, thepiston was placed under the action of the compressed spring 78, whichthen moved the piston rearwardly and consequently the block 73, whoselug 83 riding in the groove 84 as shown in Figure 5 rotated the cylinderin the opposite direction so that the clutch 92 93 engaged and the 50were rotated to retract the breech bolt, withdraw and release the shell,move the breech block forward to engage the next cartridge and insert itwithin the breech of the barrel, the firing pin being again set andreleased, so that the actuation will continue. The short shaft is fittedin the head 91 for free rotation so that the head 91 acts as a journaltherefor, and a ball bearing 94 rearward movement thereof,

is mounted to antifrictionally receive the thrust of the head 91. y

In order to provide a means whereby'the firing may be speededup orretarded, there is mounted u on opening 95, t 1e head 96 of the springholding chamber or tubular member 97, so. that the spring 98 may beproperly housed. The piston rod 99 slides in the member 97, and has thespring mounted thereon to normally project the breech block engaginghead 100 into engagement with the breech block, while the piston 101moves in the cylinder 102, removably attached .to the member 97. Thiscylinder 102 also acts as a handle by means of which the gun may bemoved in aiming. By this means a spring and air cushion is provided tocheck the rearward movement of the breech block, and it has been foundin practice that by providing the air check and an adjustable means forregulating the escape of air from the rear of the piston during the thatthe action of the breech block, and consequently the speed of firing mayberegulated. I This is accomplished by providing the port 104 in the cap103, and attaching for rotation the dialed disk 105, having thegraduated ports 106, the detailed construction of which isclearly shownin Figures 14 and 15.

In order to mount this gun in such a manner as to absorb the recoil andsteady the same for accuracy, and this has been accomplished with a 20mm. gun in practice, the strap 107, and attaching member 108 are carriedby the receiver. The member 108 is attached to the lugs 109 which are inturn fast to the reciprocating mount 110, to' whose rear end the strap107 is attached. This mount is fitted in the guide 111 having thegrooved walls 112, and is cushioned in its rearward movement by thesprings 113, held in place by the strip 114, and the studs a and b. Theforward movement of the mount 110 is limited by the strip 115 and thecushioning studs 116. The support 111 is attached to a tripod by meansof the pivoting member 116 and the arm 117, which engage respectivelythe support 119 and the adjusting screw 120 of the tripod mount 122, thewheel 121 being employed to tilt the mount and elevate or lower the gun.

, The magazine 123 is a rectangular casing, having the cartridge guidingmember 124 with the guide 125 at its under face and as shown in Figures2 and 3 disposed to guide the bullet end of the cartridge intothe breechbreech block engages the rim and proceeds to grip the same and push thecartridge forwardly. The rest 126 engages the receiver at the rear ofits upper opening so that the magazine is sufiiciently supported topermit the operation of the gun and the successive feeding of thecartridges. In order to hold the cartridges in the magaof the barrel asthe the plate P, in the threaded zine and against accidental movement,the

two pairs of resilient clips 127 are employed.

Operation Assuming that the'gun has its parts in the position as shownin Figures 3-3, the

trigger has engaged the lug 66 and the cylingripped. The block continuesto move the cartridge whose bullet engages the guide 125 and enters thebreech of the barrel, where it is seated, and sealed, the cam 51 thenengaging the head 36, setting and releasing the sear, at which instantthe cartridge is exploded, and the gas therefrom behind the bulletenters the port to propel the piston 68 forwardly. This action againcompresses the spring, the action will continue just as long as thetrigger '65 is retracted and" the cartridges are fed from the ma azine.I

Should a miss fire happen, the lock 76 being in the opening 59 will thenseat in the recess 58 and lock the 50 against further movement, thusguarding against this dangerous action in a machine gun.

In first starting the gun, the trigger is retracted, and as the spring 78 is not com pressed, the crank 62 is manipulated to rotate the cylinder50 and project the breech block and cock and release the sear. After thefirst cartridge is exploded in this manner the operation can be thencontinued as a single shot by pulling and releasing the trigger, as anintermittent automatic by intermittently re tracting and releasing thetrigger and as a continuous automatic by retracting and holding thetrigger.

The present gun is so constructed, due to the rotary cam that operatesthe breech'block and also sets and releases the firing pin or sear, thatthereis caused what is termed a delayed action just after the cartridgeis exploded by the release of the firing pin, and this delayed actionpermits of the easy extraction of the spent or also eliminates the heavyshocks on the mechanisms due period of high pressure which is the casewith guns of the conventional type with direct action of the mechanismwhich begins to extract almost instantly after the cartridge is fired.

What I claim, as new, is

the strips 42, and caused the rim of the cartridge to have been firedcartridge and to attempts to extract during the' 70 and chamber .67 I

disk 57 and the cylinder 1 carried by the breech-block, a rotatablememreceiver mounted ber disposed at the. rear of the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech-block, and the rotatable member,for retracting and projecting the breech-block, cooperative meanscarried by the firing in and also the said rotatable mei'nber wherebythe firing pin is retracted and released at the closing operation of thebreech-block, and a spring actuated and gas released locking device forlook ing the rotary member against rotation should a cartridge fail toexplode when operated upon by the firing pin.

2. A machine gun including a barrel, a receiver, a breech block mountedfor slidable movement Within the receiver, a. firing pin carried by thebreech block, a rotatable member disposed at the rear of the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech-block and the rotatable memberfor retracting and projecting the breecl-i-block, cooperative meanscarried by the firing pin and by the said rotatable member whereby thefiring pin isretracted and released at the closing operation of thebreech-block, said receiver being open upon opposite sides adjacent thebreech of the barrel, and means for delivering a cartridge from above,means carried in the forward end of the breech-block for gripping thebase of the cartridge whereby the cartridge is held during the movementforward, the explosion thereof and released at the final retractingmovement of the breech-block.

3. A machine gun including a barrel, a receiver mounted adjacent thebreech thereof and provided with a forward chamber open at oppositesides, one side being the cartridge entrance and the other side beingthe shell outlet, aslidingly mounted breech block for closing thereceiver mounted for move* .ment to and from the breech of the barrel,:1 spring actuated firing pin carried thereby, a rotatable cylindermounted in the receiver and provided with a cam groove in the surfacethereof, means carried by the breech block and disposed in thegrooveswhereby the rotation of the cylinder moves the breech block to and fromthe breech of the barrel producing a momentary halt of the breech at theclosing of the breech of the barrel, and cooperative means carried bythe cylinder and the firing pin whereby the firing pin is retracted andreleased during said momentary halting of the breech block.

4; A machine adjacent the breech thereof and provided with a forwardchamber open at opposite sides, one side" being the cartridge entranceand the other side being the shell outlet, a slidingly mounted breechblock for closing the receiver mounted for movement to and from thebreech of the barrel, a spring actuated, firing pin carried thereby,arotatable cylinder mounted in the receiver and provided with. a camgroove in breech block for eating the breech block gun including abarrel, a

the surface thereof, means carried by the breech block and disposed inthe groove whereby the rotation of the cylinder moves the breech blockto and from the breech of the barrel producing a momentary halt of thebreech at the closing of the breech of the barrel, cooperative meanscarried by the cylinder and the firing pin whereby the firin pin isretracted and released during sai momentary halting of the breech block,and means carried in the forward end of the gripping the base ofthecartridge whereby the cartridge is held during the movement forward,the explosion thereof, and released at the final retracting movement ofthe breech block.

5. A. machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and-cylinder forreciprodue to the rotation of said cylinder, and gas and spring actuatedmeans ,disposed adjacent to the barrel and operably connected to rotatesaid cylinder.

(3. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of said cylinder, gasand spring actuated means disposed adjacent to the barrel and operablyconnected to rotate said cylinder, and manual means for operating saidcylin- 7 A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech blockmounted in the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in thereceiver, cooperative means carried by the breech block and the cylinderfor reciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of said cylinder,gas and spring actuated means disposed adjacent to the barrel andoperably connected to rotate said cylinder, and cooperating lockingmeans for locking the cylinder against rotation at the final shot or atamisfire.

8. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, gasand spring actuated means disposed adjacent to the barrel and operablyconnected to rotate said cylinder, manual means for operating thecylinder, and cooperating locking means for locking the cvlimler againstrotation at the final shot or after a. misfire.

9. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver. a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the cylinder, gas

the breech block and the cylinder for reciprocating the breech block dueto the rotation ofthe cylinder, gas and spring actuated means disposedadjacent the barrel and operably connected to rotate said cylinder, anda cartridge nose elevating means operated by the cylinder.

10. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, gasand spring actuated means disposed adjacentthe barrel and operablyconnected to rotate said cylinder, a reciprocating cartridge noseelevating means operated by the cylinder.

11. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block ceiver,a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver cooperative meanscarried by the breech block and the cylinder for reciprocating thebreech block due to the rotation of and spring actuated means disposedadjacent the barrel and operably connected to rotate said cylinder, anda cushion disposed in the rearward path of the breech block.

12. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by thebreech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, gasand spring actuated means disposed adjacent the barrel and operablyconnected to rotate said cylinder, and an adjustable cushion disposed inthe rearward path of the breech block.

13. A machinegun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, atube disposed parallel to the barrel and having a cylinder at one end incommunication with the bore of the barrel to receive discharged gas fromthe barrel, a spring returned plunger mounted in the cylinder and tube,a rotatable member operated by the reciprocation of the plunger, andclutch means for connecting and disconnecting the latter from therotatable cylinder, whereby the cylinder is not in operation when theplunger is operated by the gas, and is rotated when operated b T thespring.

14:. A machine gun inc uding a receiver, a barrel, a breech blockmounted in the receiver,

. a rotatable cylinder also mounted in therecooperative means carried bythe breech block and cylinder for reciprocating the breech block due tothe rotation of the cylinder, a tube disposed parallel to the barceiver,

and

mounted in the re-- the breech block due to ated by the reciprocation ofthe plunger,

clutch means for connecting and disconnecting the latter from therotatablecylinder whereby the cylinder is not in o eration when theplunger is operated'by t e gas and is rotated when operated by thespring, and cooperative locking means carried by the cylinder andplunger operative after the last cartridge is fired or after a misfiretakes place.

.15. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech blockmounted in the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in thereceiver, cooperative means carried by the breech block and the cylinderfor reciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder,gas and spring actuated means disposed adjacent the barrel and operablyconnected to rotate said cylinder, cooperating locking means for lockingthe cylinder against rotation at the final shot or after a misfire, andmanually operated means for releasing the cylinder. p

16, A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and the cylinder forreciprocat- 1ng the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, atube disposed in parallel to the barrel and having a cylinder at one endin communication with the bore of the barrel to receive discharged gasfrom the barrel, a spring returned plunger mounted in the cylinder andtube, a rotatable member operated by the reciprocation of the plunger,clutch means for connecting and disconnecting the latter from therotatable cylinder whereby the cylinder is not in operation when theplunger is operated by the gas and is rotated when operated b thespring, and manually operated means or releasing the cylinder.

17. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the rotation of the a tube disposed in parallel to thebarrel and having a cylinder at one end in communication with the boreof the barrel to receive the discharged gas from the barrel, a s ringreturned plunger mounted in the cylin er and tube, a rotatable memberoperated by the reciprocation of the plunger, clutch means forconnecting and disconnecting the cylinder,

locking means carried by ceiver, means ed ina rearward lunger operativeafter the last cartridge is red or a misfire takes place, and manuallyoperated means for releasing the cylinder.

18. In a machine gun including a barrel, a receiver, a breech block inthe receiver-mounted for movement to and from the breech of the barrel,a spring actuated" firing pin carried thereby, a rotatable cylinder inthe reto rotate the cylinder, cooperating means between the receiver andthe cylinder whereby the rotation of the cylinder moves the breech blockto and from the breech and to produce a momentary halt of the block atthe; breech, cooperative means" between the cylinder and the firing pinwhereby the same is retracted during the rotation of the cylinder andreleased during the halt of the breech block to fire the gun, and meansto cushion the recoil of the gun at firing.

19. In a machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech blockmounted inthe receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in thereceiver, cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block dueto the rotation of the cylinder, atube disposed parallel to the barrel and in communication with the boreof the barrel to receive discharged gas from the barrel, a springreturned plunger mounted in the tube and adapted to be forced toward themuzzle of the gun to compress the spring, a rotatable member operated bythe return of the plunger under spring tension, and a clutch means forconnecting and disconnecting the latter from the rotating cylinder.

20. A machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech block mountedin the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver,cooperative means between the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, atube disposed parallel to the barrel and in communication with the boreof the barrel, a spring returned plunger mounted in the tube and adaptedto be forced toward the muzzle of the gun to compress the spring and tocounteract the powder reaction exertdirection on discharge of the gun bydirecting the working powder pressure in a forward direction toward themuzzle.

21. In a machine gun including a receiver, a barrel, a breech blockmounted in the receiver, a rotatable cylinder also mounted in thereceiver, cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinder forreciprocating the breech block due to the rotation of the cylinder, atube disposed parallel to the barrel and in communication with the boreof the barrel to receive discharged gas from the barrel, a springreturned plunger mounted in the tube and adapted to be forced toward themuzzle of the gun to counteract the powder reaction exerted in arearward direction on discharge of the gun by directing the ciprocationof the wice having its working powder pressure against the springreturned plunger rection toward the muzzle, and means to rotate thecylinder.

22. In a machine gun including a firing pin, means for positioningcartridges to be to force it in a forward di-- struck by said firingpin, means for operating gun comprising a receiver, a block mounted inthe rea rotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver, cooperativemeans carried by the locking device breech block and cylinder forcausing the re- I tion of the cylinder, a device disposed adjacentthebarrel and operatively connected to rotate said cylinder, a gascompressed spring for operating said device, and mechanical means foroperating the cylinder.

24. A machine a barrel, a breech block mounted in the receiver, arotatable cylinder also mounted in the receiver, breech block andcylinder for causing the reciprocation of the breech block by therotation of the cylinder, a device disposed adj acent the barrel andoperatively connected to rotate said cylinder, a gas compressed springfor operating said device, mechanical means for operating the cylinder,and means for locking the cylinder against rotation at the final shot orafter a misfire.

25. A machine gun, including a receiver, a barrel, a reciprocatorybreech block mounted in the ing the breech block, and gas and springactuated means and external means for operating the rotary means.

26. A machine gun, barrel, a reciprocatory in the receiver, rotary meansfor reciprocating the breech block, and gas and spring actuated meansand external means for operating the rotary means, the external meansbeincluding a receiver, a

ing capable of operation in conjunction with or independently of saidgas and spring actuated means.

27. A machine gun, including a receiver, a barrel, a reciprocatorybreech block mounted in the receiver, rotary means for reciprocating thebreech block, and a power storing device for operating the rotary means,said depower stored due to-the explosion of the cartridge and actuatingthe rotary means with the power stored thereby.

28. A machine gun according to claim 27, characterized by the fact thatthe rotary means is stationary during the period of power storage.

29. A machine gun according to claim 27,

breech block by the rotagun comprising a receiver,

cooperative means carried by the receiver, rotary means forreciprocatbreech block mounted lot) . posed in the path of the receiver,a reciprocatory breech block, a rotary characterized by the fact thatthere is externalmeans for operating the rotary means independently ofor in conjunction with the power storing device.

30. A machine un according .to claim 27, characterized by t e fact thatthere is means disposed in the path of the breech block for regulatingthe speed of rearward movement of the breech block.

31. A machine gun according to claim 27, characterized by the fact thereis means dis- 7 breech block for regulating the speed of recoil thereof,that said latter means is adjustable at will to slow down or speed upthe movement of the breech block and consequently the rate of fire.

32. A machine gun, including a barrel, a

breech block mounted in the receiver, and rotary means for reciprocatingthe breech block and for causing a momentary halt in the breech blockduring the time of the positioning of the cartridge in the barrel andfiring the same.

33. A machine gun, including a barrel, a receiver, a reciprocatorybreech block, a firing pin carried by the breech block, and rotary meansfor reciprocating the breech block and retracting and releasing thefiring pin, the breech block being momentarily halted during theretracting and releasing ot the firing 34. A machine gun, including abarrel, a receiver, a reciprocatory breech block mounted in thereceiver, a spring propelled firing pin bodily carried by the breechblock, and rotary means for reciprocating the breech block and duringsuch action to retract and release the firing pin, the breech blockbeing momentarily halted during the operation of the firing pin, wherebya delayed action results that permits of the easy extraction of thefired cartrid e.

35. A mac ine gun, including a barrel, a receiver, a reciprocatingbreech block mounted in the receiver, a rotary'actuator for the breechblock, a rotary operating means for said actuator, cooperating meansbetween the latter two means whereby the actuator is operated only whenthe operating means is rotated in one direction, and gas set and springreturned means for rotating the actuator operating means when gasoperated and for rotating the operating meanswhen spring operated.

36. A machine gun, including a barrel, a receiver, a reciprocatingbreech block mounted in the receiver, a rotary actuator for theoperating means for said actuator, cooperating means between the lattertwo means whereby the actuator is operated only when the operating meansis rotated in one direction, gas set and spring returned means forrotating the actuator operating means when gas operated and for rotatingthe operating means when spring actuated, and external means forrotating the actuator.

37. A machine gun according to claim 35, in which there is an externalmeans for rotating the actuator independently of or in conjunction withthe rotary operating means.

38. A machine gun, including a barrelfa receiver, a reciprocating breechblock mounted in the receiver; a rotary actuator for the breech block, arotary operating means for said actuator, cooperating means between thelatter two means whereby the actuator is operated only when theoperating means is rotated in one direction, upon by the gas ofexplosion to rotate the operating means in non-operating direction, anda spring adapted to be compressed by the plunger and to when releasedreturn the plunger and operate the operating means in the direction tooperate the actuator and reciprocate the breech block.

39. A machine gun according to claim 38, in which there is an externalmeans for rotating the actuator independently of or in conjunction withthe rotary operating means.

40. A machine gun, including a barrel, a receiver, a reciprocatingbreech block mounted in the receiver. a rotary breech block actuator, arotary cylinder, cooperative means for connecting the actuator andcylinder whereby the actuator is inactive as the cylinder is rotated inone direction and is rotated thereby when the cylinder is rotated in theopposite direction, gas set and spring actuated means for rotating thecylinder, and cooperative means carried by the cylinder and the lastmeans-whereby the' cylinder has rotary movementimparted thereto as thegas and spring actuated means is operated.

41. A machine gun according to claim 40, in which external means forrotating the actuator is provided.

42. A machine gun according to claim 40, in which external means forrotating the actuator independently of or in conjunction with the rotaryoperating means is provided.

43. A machine gun, including a barrel, a receiver, a reciprocatingbreech block mounted in the receiver, a rotary breech block actuator, arotary cylinder, a one-way clutch for connecting the actuator andcylinder whereby the actuator is operated when the clutch is moved inone of two directions, gas set and spring actuated means for rotatingthe cylinder, and cooperative means carried by the cylinder and the lastmeans whereby the cylinder has rotary movement imparted thereto as thegas and spring actuated means is operated.

4A. A machine gun,'according to claim 43 in which external means isprovided also for rotating the actuator.

45. A machine gun, according to claim 43 in which there is providedexternal means for rotating the actuator independently of or in aplunger operated conjunction with the rotary operatin means.

46. A machine gun according to c aim 35, in which there is providedmanually act-n-v ted means for halting and releasing the actuator atwill.

47. A machine gun according to claim 35, in which there is providedautomatic means for halting the actuator due to a inisfire or the firingof the last cartridge.

10 48. A machine gun, including a barrel, a I receiver, a reciprocatingbreech block mounted. in the receiver, a spring propelled firingpincarried by the breech block, a rotary cylinder mounted in thereceiver, cooperative means carried by the breech block and cylinderwhereby as the cylinder is rotated the. breech block is reciprocated,cooperative means carried by the firing pin and the cylinder wherebythefiring pin is retracted and released during the rotation of thecylinder,

and means for rotating the cylinder, said last means including a gasactuated and spring returned member adjacent the barrel, and means foroperably connecting the same to the breech block to reciprocate thelatter only when the member is spring actuated.

49. A machine gun according to claim 48, in which the cooperative meansbetween the firing pin and the cylinder and that between V so thecylinder and breech block. as the cylinder is rotating causes the breechblock to close the breech of the barrel and momentarily halt during therelease of the firing pin and causes the breech block to startretracting only after the discharge of the cartridge and the release ofpressure'in the breech of the barrel.

50. A machine gun according to claim 48, in which the operating means isa gas set and spring actuated device.

40 51. A machine gun according to claim 48, in which the operating meansis a gas set and spring actuated means. and has a means selective 'atwill for halting and releasing the cylinder while under-the action ofthe spring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT F. HUDSON.

